Draw curtains and the like



Nov. 20, 1962 v. J. DxoNNE DRAW CURTAINS AND THE LIKE Filed April 9, 1959 IN VEN TOR.

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3,064,691 DRAW CURTANS AND THE LiKE Vianney 3. Dionne, Fair Lawn, NJ., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Midland-Ross Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 9, 1959, Ser. N 805,395 3 Claims. (Cl. 139-419) This invention relates to curtain structures including draw and roll-up as well as shades and the like; more particularly to a novel construction providing for an attractive and serviceable textile material having a desired appearance, light weight, firmness, and light dilusion.

Light weight, sturdiness, serviceability, attractive appearance, economically produced, also light transmitting, are characteristics that are desirable in a curtain or shade. There are many available materials for draw curtains, window shades, coverings, roll-up drapes and cafe curtains. Some are made from iinely cut split bamboo, from particular wood slatting, threaded beads, and a variety of rough textile weaves, as Well as from metal slatting. The scope of use of any of the aforesaid is generally limited by the lack of adaptability to many uses and the cost in manufacture. This invention provides for a curtain or shade material having generally the aforesaid desirable structural and esthetic characteristices and ilexibility to design, one that is economically produced, and one that is adapted to extensive usage in homes as Well as in business establishments.

More particularly the applicant provides for a novel construction comprising a man-made straw-like monolament held in proper spaced relation by a modied weave known as leno weave. The straw-like monoiilzunent yarn advantageously can be regenerated cellulose, as viscose, since it is adapted to be economically produced, although any other artificially produced straw-like ftlaments, as singles or in bundle form, can be also used. Lateral or vertical rigidity or a suiciency of it is attained through the particular spaced weave utilized. The leno weave construction provides rmness in support and for desirable spacing of the monotilament as well as for an enwrapment of them for preventing their displacement and insurinrT their position during use.

The straw-like filling material, depending upon spacing and size of bundle advantageously provides for whatever depth of shading oi' light transmission that is required. Furthermore, straw-like monolilaments as iilling material, in a leno weave construction, attractively simulate a Very tine bamboo structure yet also have the obvious and desirable ilexibility of a textile material. Since it is constructed of a very light tiber that is maintained in a spaced relation it can be easily handled. Where the monotilaments are not dyed they provide for either a bright or a dull pearl-like linish which may be varied by contrasting weave material of cotton or other threads or yarns.

This novel material and its construction is more speciically described in the following specification and drawing where:

FIGURE l generally represents one form of a curtain structure adapted for roll-up uses;

FIGURES 2 and 3 taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE l and lines 2 2, 3-3 of FIGURE 5 represents in sectional detail a form of modilied leno weave utilized in securing the straw-like bundles of viscose monolaments;

FIGURE 4 represents an enlarged section of a viscose monoiilament bundle taken through line 4 4 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 5 represents the weave construction taken through line 5-5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 represents a double leno weave holding construction for bundles of viscose monolaments; and

bgl Patented Nov. 20 1962 FIGURE 7 represents a standard leno weave construction.

Referring to the drawing, a roll-up type curtain 1? as shown in FIGURE l is advantageously made from a combination of bundles 11, shown in FIGURE 4, of generally iiat straw-like monoiilaments or strands made from a viscose spinning solution, securely tied at desirable spaced intervals by a weave known as leno weave. Bundles 11 of three, tive, or more fiat strands or monofilaments, dependinf7 upon denier and the light diusion desired, are formed and fixed in position to form an open mesh structure. The viscose monoiilaments are desirably tied as a yarn bundle of three to live or more iilaments, each filament being not less than about 9G() denier and the bundle about 450() denier. These bundles 11 then are tied or leno woven securely in spaced relation to provide for a very attractive and novel fabric construction for use as a curtain or shade material. Where self support in the monoiilament is a requirement it has been found that below about 900 denier a coating to stiien the lilaments would be necessary.

In the weaving trade a leno fabric is an open mesh, light weight cloth. The standard or common weave, also termed as doup or crossing threads, is shown in FIGURE 7. The holding threads 31 and 32 are passed over and under a illing or strand material 30 and simultaneously from side to side to form a crossed, interlacing or an interweaving holding construction, as in a zig-zag fashion, providing for a firm grip of the straw bundles. The weave advantageously iirmly secures and compacts the bundle 30 holding it against displacement. Viscose straw, the lling material, is advantageous since it can be economically produced, it is iirm and it is attractive in a curtain structure. However, because of its nature it is a slippery material and must be firmly secured against displacement. A modified form of leno weave has been found to provide the desirable holding construction as well as enhancing the iinal appearance of the finished product.

While the simple form of leno Weave shown in FIG- URE 7 can be utilized for many curtain applications the further modilications shown in FIGURES 2, 3, 5 and 6 are more desirable in curtain structures of the roll-up or draw type which are in frequent use for more strength, rigidity and appearance. In FIGURE 2 the straw bundle 11 is secured by a double or parallel leno weave 12, 13. The main threads 15 and 16 of the weave 13 (and also of the weave 12) run generally wavelike relative to each other, and over and under the bundle of straw monolilaments 11. At the same time about and from side to side the leno warps are being compacted by thread 17. This is more particularly shown in elevation in FIGURE 5 where the threads 15 and 16 undulate while thread 17 weaves and criss-crosses about the threads 15 and 16; also, as shown in FIGURE 6.

Depending on how much rigidity is required the weaves can parallel each very closely as in FIGURE 3, or they can be spaced as in FIGURE 2. By compressing the straw iilaments at the holding points their free lengths tend to bow out being thus somewhat spread as indicated in FIGURE 6, lling in the space between the bundles 2t?. The leno weave Z1, 22 and 23, 24 can add a further ettect by being spaced or by being closely paralleling.

The use of viscose straw-like monolament yarn 20 of at least 9G() denier and higher as shown in FIGURE 6 rovides for a construction which simulates tine bamboo slatting or wood slatting or of other materials without their disadvantage of solidity in form and their lack of translucency. Being of a suiciently large denier the viscose monoiilaments are sufliciently rigid to be utilized in many applications where bamboo and wood slatting are used.

3 They have the further advantage of iight weight, ease of handling during construction; also, they can provide for a fabric material of any open -mesh design having desirable light diffusion. The viscose monolament material is readily dyeable, thus, giving a material adapted to a great range of decorative uses.

One form of construction, as shown in FIGURE 6, for a roll-up curtain that has been found advantageous has a leno woven double warp of colored (or white) cotton yarn on one inch spacing, the filling material being viscose straw yarn in bundles each comprising `about 5 single monolaments of about 1250 denier each (natural nish). A sturdy selvage iinishes oi the curtain. Of course, depending on requirements, monofilarnents of greater thanV 1250 denier can be readily spun for greater bulk and rigidity.

Curtains or shades or" any width can be produced since the straw iill is continuous in length. Looms of widths from 70 inches to over 100 inches can easily and readily produce the described material.

vWhat is claimed is:

1. A woven fabric structure comprising, a weft of continuous length of not less than 900 denier each, and Y a warp of leno woven weaves spaced not less than about one inch apart.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,735,847 Bolin Nov. 19, 1929 1,950,559 Kendrick Mar. 13, 1934 1,962,190 Ginn June 12, 1934 1,977,265 Colvin Oct. 16', 1934 1,995,696 Wallach Mar. 26, 1935 V2,002,153 Mendel May 21, 1935 2,559,341 Brierley July 3, 1951 2,916,798 Caputa et a1 Dec. 15, 1959 c ,aferra y 

1. A WOVEN FABRIC STRUCTURE COMPRISING A WEFT OF 